Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in It Ends with Us, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Cycles of Abuse
Naked Truths
Good and Evil
Chosen Family
Summary
Analysis
One day at the floral shop, Lily asks Allysa if she and Marshall donate to charity. Allysa responds that they do, and Lily’s affection for Allysa grows. Lily explains she doesn’t have a ton of money, but she wants to start a charity eventually. Allysa encourages Lily to focus on the grand opening first. Lily, still reflective, asks Allysa why she wants to work here when she doesn’t need to. Allysa admits that she has been trying to get pregnant for years but hasn’t had any luck. Working at the flower shop has been an excellent distraction. Allysa finishes arranging the bouquet in her hands, giving it to Lily.
Lily’s time re-reading her journals reminds her of her values as well as where and why they originated. This prompts her conversation with Allysa. As she and Allysa get closer, their easy friendship develops into one where they discuss their values, their deepest pains, and their hopes for the future. As they talk, Allysa is making a bouquet for Lily from Ryle, demonstrating just another way her and Lily’s friendship is becoming wrapped up in Lily’s relationship with Ryle.
Themes
The bouquet is from Ryle. In the card, he’s written that he is having “withdrawals” from her. Back in her office, Lily texts him thank you. He asks to take her to dinner. When she tells him that she has dinner plans with her mother, Ryle asks if he can join. Lily is ecstatic at his enthusiasm. It is even more surprising, given his early claims of commitment-phobia. When Lily shows Allysa the text, she can’t believe it either. She tells Lily that Ryle has never met anyone’s parents before. For a moment, Lily worries he’s only trying to please her, but she believes his willingness to sacrifice her may be a good sign. Allysa is less positive, which bothers her.
Though things have been going well between Lily and Ryle, Lily is shocked at how quickly Ryle has shifted from wanting a causal relationship to committing. Lily has concerns about this change, but her deep-seated desire for love proves more powerful than her doubts. Allysa’s skepticism nags at Lily, however, making Lily’s attempt to ignore her gut instincts more difficult.
Themes
Ryle meets Lily at work, and they share a passionate greeting before heading to the restaurant. When they arrive, both Lily and her mother are astounded by the beauty of the dining space. Lily’s mother is surprised when Lily introduces Ryle, who identifies himself as Allysa’s brother. He leaves for the bathroom, giving Lily’s mother the opportunity to ask Lily all about him. As Lily gushes about Ryle, a waiter arrives to ask for drink orders. Lily freezes when she sees him. Her mother is confused, but just before Lily can explain that the waiter looks like Atlas Corrigan, Ryle returns.
Although Lily’s past still complicates her relationship with her mother, her mother’s approval of Ryle bolsters Lily’s excitement about their romance. However, just as things seem to be coming together for Lily and Ryle—aside from a few lingering doubts—the reappearance of Atlas disrupts Lily’s present happiness. The past, which she has become immersed in by rereading her journals, collides with the new life Lily has been working hard to build.
Themes
Ryle asks what’s wrong as Lily reels from the encounter. Eventually, she changes the subject by telling her mother about Ryle’s recent surgery. As the two begin talking, Lily excuses herself. She is taking deep breaths in the hallway when the waiter approaches. She wasn’t wrong; it’s Atlas, though he looks far older and healthier. The two catch up about their lives in Boston, which makes Lily recall a conversation they once had about living there. Atlas tells her about his time in the military, and Lily tells him about her floral shop. Atlas is happy but unsurprised by her success. They agree to connect later, then Lily returns to her table.
This passage provides the first description of Atlas aside from his appearances as a teenager in Lily’s journals. Atlas’s support of Lily appears to be intact as he celebrates her new business. Atlas also seems to have set out to do what he planned by joining the military, where he made something of himself—a significant accomplishment, given the lack of resources he had as a kid. The novel implies a contrast between Lily and Ryle’s thriving careers and Atlas’s job as a waiter, however, which is reminiscent of the class disparity between Lily and Atlas in high school.
Themes
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Lily is able to sit in relative silence, considering her reunion with Atlas, while her mother asks Ryle questions. Ryle handles them with ease. Everyone agrees that the restaurant is amazing, but Lily tries to minimize how good it is in hopes they don’t have to return. She doesn’t want to run into Atlas again. Ryle and Lily enjoy some time alone as he waits for his rideshare to arrive. They are both busy still, but they agree that the limited time they have outside of their successful careers is all the more special.
Instead of telling her mother and Ryle Atlas, Lily remains silent and even attempts to dissuade them from returning to the restaurant. Lily mentioned Atlas to Ryle in their first conversation on the roof, and Lily’s mother knew Atlas as a teenager, but Lily still chooses not to tell them about running into him—suggesting there is something she’s yet to reveal about their history. Once they leave, Lily and Ryle’s conversation serves as a much-needed affirmation of their relationship and a distraction from the past.
Themes
As Ryle’s ride drives away, Lily stands alone on the sidewalk. She notices suddenly that Atlas is leaning against her car. She is startled, and he apologizes for scaring her. He asks her about Ryle, and Lily tells him that they met a year ago. Atlas tells her that he’s been seeing someone named Cassie for about a year as well. Lily feels sick when she hears this. As Atlas walks away, he admits that he wishes they’d run into each other a year ago. Lily drives home, trying to reconcile her growing love for Ryle with her complicated emotions after seeing Atlas.
That Lily feels sick after talking to Atlas further suggests pieces of their history that she hasn’t yet shared. Lily consciously decides not to worry about her physical reaction to seeing Atlas after all this time and hearing about his girlfriend, though his comment about wishing they’d reunited sooner bothers her. Instead, she chooses to view it as a part of processing the past so that she can let it go and proceed with her future.
Themes
